WASHINGTON—After Environmental Protection Agency
administrator Scott Pruitt announced that the EPA will formally seek to revoke
the Clean Power Plan, Bishop Frank J. Dewane of Venice, Florida, Chairman of
the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, expressed
disappointment about the decision and called on leaders to "hear the cry of the
earth and the cry of the poor."

The full statement follows:

"The USCCB, in unity with Pope Francis, strongly supports
environmental stewardship, and has for several years called on our nation to
help curb carbon emissions through a national carbon standard.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Pruitt announced that the EPA
will now take steps to revoke the Clean Power Plan (CPP), the national program
designed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 32% in relation to
2015 levels by the year 2030.

The CPP may not have been the only possible mechanism for
addressing carbon emissions, but, unfortunately, the Administration does not
propose an adequate alternative as it seeks to dismantle the CPP. Having
already withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement, this change in course by
the EPA solidifies the already troubling approach of our nation in addressing
climate change, and places at risk many people, including the poor who can
least bear the consequences of inaction.

Many states have already made great progress toward
carbon mitigation goals under the CPP, making this decision even more
difficult. Pope Francis' encyclical, Laudato si', calls us to action in
caring for our common home. A national carbon standard is a critical step
for the U.S. at this time. Facing this shift from the Trump Administration, our
leaders should heed the Holy Father's moral call and seek new legislative solutions
that will help the nation and world 'hear the cry of the earth and the cry of
the poor' once more."

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